Audi Leads List of Consumers’ Top Rated Vehicles on Edmunds.com

With foreign brands highlighted throughout, Edmunds.com recently unveiled its list of 2011 Consumers’ Top Rated vehicles, a compilation of 21 models.

Audi took more honors than any other nameplate, winning four categories including:

—Best Coupe $35,000-$45,000: 2011 Audi A5.
—Best Coupe More Than $45,000: 2011 Audi S5.
—Best Wagon $35,000-$45,000: 2011 Audi A4 Wagon.
—Best SUV $35,000-$45,000: 2011 Audi Q5.

“It’s clear that the owners of Audi’s 2011 lineup of vehicles are very satisfied with their purchases,” stated Scott Oldham, editor in chief at Edmunds.com.

“It’s also just as clear that Edmunds.com visitors continue to rate European and Japanese brands higher than their U.S. and Korean counterparts. European and Japanese models won 75 percent of our categories.”

Besides Audi, the other nameplates to have more than one vehicle listed were Nissan and Mazda.

The site explained its 2011 Consumers' Top Rated vehicles are those that received the highest average ratings from Edmunds.com visitors as of May 31.

“Edmunds.com aims to collect real-world feedback from actual owners with site reviewers required to provide the car or truck’s VIN number in order to rate the vehicle,” officials noted.

“All 2011 vehicle models that received the required minimum number of consumer ratings were eligible. Vehicles are categorized by price using the lowest available base MSRP,” they added.

Edmunds.com shared comments about each of the 21 selections as well as a few remarks from owners.

Coupe Below $25,000: 2011 Mini Cooper

“Trying to find someone who doesn’t like his Mini Cooper is a hard thing to do — among the reviews written by Edmunds consumers, at least,” the site indicated. “Frequent comments include ‘superb gas mileage,’ ‘plenty of power’ (regardless of engine), ‘composed ride,’ ‘front seat large enough for a tall person’ and ‘when you drive it, it makes you smile.’ People also love that they can customize the Mini Cooper any way they want.

“The Mini does have its liabilities, of course,” Edmunds.com acknowledged. “The negative comments include a lack of rear seat space, but then consumers seem to be OK with that since they knew what they were getting into. (It’s called Mini for a reason, after all.) The base stereo is also considered weak, so opting for the Harman Kardon upgrade is recommended by consumers and our editors alike. The thin sunroof shade also drew criticism. However, these detriments would seem to be more than made up for by the Mini Cooper’s many charms. Among them, the Edmunds editors particularly enjoy the responsive engine, alert handling and a space-efficient package that has far more utility than you'd expect. The Mini has made the small car respectable on the American road.”

Coupe $25,000-$35,000: 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe